The Ropa Vieja I grew up eating — memory as a review

I grew up eating Ropa Vieja and have strong opinions shaped by memory. The version here triggered that recognition in the first bite — the citrusy from mojo was right, sofrito tomato base was handled the way it should be.

Cuban cuisine reflects Spanish, African, and Caribbean indigenous influences. Growing up it was always a roadside food stall, which shaped my reference point entirely. guarapo sugarcane juice alongside it is the only way it makes sense to me. It's hard to be objective about food you have emotional history with, but objectively: this is very good.